Berlin

Berlin Travel Guide

The concert hall, by architect Hans Scharoun, is widely considered one of the best in the world and still the greatest artistic joy the city has to offer. The audience is seated like the U.N. General Assembly around the warm, glowing orchestra stage.

Inspired by the risqué glamour of Berlin-born photographer Helmut Newton—his mural-size black-and-white nudes adorn the entire back wall—this swanky lounge across from the Gendarmenmarkt is a sultry spot for a rendezvous.

The Academy’s villa is located in the near-distant suburb of Wannsee, across the lake from the House of the Wannsee Conference, where the Final Solution to the so-called “Jewish Problem” was signed. The estate had been owned by a Jewish banker who fled the country during the 1930’s.

This bar’s name is a reference to the 40-second elevator ride that clubgoers must take to reach its 8th floor location. Once the elevator doors open, its occupants enter a space that is part futuristic, part vintage 1980's. The space has white walls, and low, white tables and banquettes.

Stay in the fashionable Mitte ("middle") district, since it's convenient to major sites including the Reichstag and Potsdamer Platz. Browse the area's many boutiques, including Bioladen, the organic-food store found throughout the city.